SHINE, SHIMMER & SPARKLE

Hello :)

Launched globally in Sep 2012, Especially Escada Delicate Notes is a soft bouquet of roses - very light-hearted and fresh, just as the Escada intended it to be.

Delicate Notes is a lighter, more delicate version of the original rose-based fragrance, Especially Escada. I've not experienced the original but I love Delicate Notes.

The first thing that grabs you is the beautiful juxtaposition of the outer packaging and the flacon that it holds. The bright pink and white box is very modern - chic and fun. The flacon however, is a beautiful surprise - the soft, pale pink juice, the frosted glass and the shiny gold double-E stopper is luxurious, elegant and very very feminine.

The fragrance itself is a luminous rose bouquet - I was immensely glad to see that it has NO berry (cherry, raspberry, blackcurrant etc) notes in it, which seems to be the overall trend with interpretations of rose these days (a few come to mind, like Tresor Midnight Rose, Anna Sui Forbidden Affair, Guerlain Le Petite Robe Noir).

Instead, it has a more gourmand pear accord that gives Delicate Notes a rounder feel. Rose is the main accord of Delicate Notes - the top note features a Dewy Rose note while the heart features Rose Petals.

Despite heady floral notes of Ylang Ylang (often thought of as an intensely sweet and heady floral) and the warmth of ambrette seeds in the heart and base notes respectively, Delicate Notes manages to stay light and fresh throughout. Once the pear accord in the top note settles, Delicate Notes is pretty much a linear fragrance - it does not morph into something else by the end of the day and neither does it confuse you with complex hints of this and that, peeking out ...

Despite being an Eau De Toilette, it manages to last a good decent 5-6 hours before it fades off; I also like that the first spray doesn't suffocate me with the alcohol fumes many EDTs are famous for.

It is a soft, delicate rose floral which somehow manages to steer clear out of the cloying artificial rose   category. It's simplicity might be pooh-poohed upon by more serious fragrance connoisseurs who crave complexity and uncommon notes. However, it's the clean, simple and delicate touch of Delicate Notes that I enjoy. 

I'm inclined to wear it on particularly hot days where I know a heady floral fragrance may not be the best option - but I think it would work great for date nights too. There is this innocence I tend to associate with Delicate Notes. Innocence ... young love ... a flowing brook ... dew-laden flowers ... a silk scarf flowing in the gentle breeze ... 

The promotional images that Escada released for Delicate Notes are gorgeous, with this rose-smothered flacon being my favourite ...

Bar Refaeli, the face of the fragrance, injects some light-hearted feminine chic into the promotional campaign - although I thought that her cheeky, spritely vibe belies the soft, feminine elegance Delicate Notes actually is.

Image courtesy of lovebarrefaeli.com

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Available at all Escada counters, Especially Escada Delicate Notes is available in 3 sizes at the following prices:

EDT 30ml - SGD$73

EDT 50ml - SGD$102

EDT 75ml - SGD$127

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week ahead :)

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Disclaimer: Product provided to me for consideration. This entry contains information extracted from a provided presskit. Images used for fragrance note collage consist of Google images as well as a an image from Superdrug.com. All opinions expressed are unbiased and are my own. I am not affiliated to the brand.

Hello :)

Penhaligon's has created another beautiful fragrance this year and in-step with the trend of florals in the perfume world, Peoneve.

Described by Penhaligon's as an "exquisite portrayal of an English garden in summer", Peoneve stands out boldly in my collection of floral fragrances. 

Among the recurring trend of beautiful dainty florals, Peoneve was created with the picture of a feminine yet strong and bold woman in mind. The sexy is in her modern outlook, her elegance, the ability to go out there and get what she wants, as opposed to more traditional images of a sexy, sensous, pouting damsel.

Penhaligon's Master Perfumer, Olivier Cresp, the same genius who captured the mouthwatering Gin-inspired Juniper Sling (Click HERE for my review of Penhaligon's Juniper Sling), is the nose behind Peoneve. Mr Cresp was in absolute love with the Peony and prized it for being so beautiful, unique and fresh. In creating Peoneve, Mr Cresp wanted to create a fresh take on the traditional bouqets of rose so easily available in the mass fragrance market. What he wanted to create was a garden-fresh fragrance balanced off with warm woods for a elegant, luscious fragrance. 

A real garden is a plethora of fragrances that greet the senses - a little green from the grass and leaves ... a little soft and dewy from the morning dew ... that cool crispness from the gentle early morning sun ... that familiar woodesque scent from the trees and twigs ... a little herbaceous from the fragrances of the other plants ... Nothing complicated - just the essence of a beautiful garden.

To this end, Mr Cresp pulled together 7 main notes to meld beautifully together for a fresh, crisp yet feminine fragrance.

It opens with the Head Notes of Violet Leaf which soon gives way to the blossoming Heart Notes of Peony, Bulgarian Rose and Hedione while the Base Notes of Vetiver, Musk and Cashmere Woods round Peoneve off.

Scent description from Penhaligon's; Violet Leaf; Peony; Bulgarian Rose; Hedione compound; Vetiver; Musk; Cashmere Woods.

Mr Cresp wanted an unadulterated and pure capture of the fragrances he had in mind, the Peony bloom in particular. For this, he turned to Nature Print - a technology that allows one to essentially take a "picture" of the fragrance in mind. Nature Print records the air molecules and allows one to accurately replicate and the reproduce the scent. This is essentially how the scent is analysed and extracted on a molecular level.

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Peoneve is packaged beautifully, as is the case with all Penhaligon's fragrances. In the case of Peoneve, the striking crimson Peony bloom adorns both the box and flacon. Peonies are available in a variety of shades - pale soft pinks, lilac pinks, soft whites tinged with pink and yellow but the most unapologetically bold ones are crimson variety that arrest you with their multi-tiered velvety petals.

A major fragrance for Penhaligon's in 2012, Peoneve aimed to please a variety of fragrance fans who would appreciate the sophisticated and yet, easy-to-love fragrance. Here's a snapshot of how the Penhaligon's store was decked out in the pre-launch period of Peoneve (sometime in Jun 2012).

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I love Peoneve because it truly is a rather refreshing take on the usual heady, uber-flowery fragrances I usually wear.

On me, Peoneve starts off a little green at the very first spritz - I was a little afraid that it would remain green on me for a while (which I'm not a fan of but thankfully, it doesn't). 

To be honest, I have no idea exactly how a Peony would smell like, having never really taken a whiff of a Peony solifore (a single-note fragrance). On me, Peoneve is a striking bouquet that is both syrupy and edgy at the same time. By syrupy, I don't mean saccharine-sweet but more of a luscious honeyed feel - there is this smooth, velvetyness of the Peony, Bulgarian Rose and and white floral (from the Hedione compound) heart that calls out to the floral lover in me - that honeyed aspect is accentuated by the warm smoothness that the base of Cashmere woods gives off. 

The edge is delivered courtesy of the slightly spicy, peppery kick of the Bulgarian rose which adds heft to the fragrance, preventing Peoneve from morphing into a weak willed wimp of a rosey posy. It reminds me very much of the edgy kick you'd get from a geranium fragrance - slightly spicy, slightly herbaceous and very very fresh. Vetiver, another beautiful aromatic that is immensely popular, just takes the fragrance up a notch - it accentuates all the scents of the various head and heart notes with it's woody, sweet and earthy qualities.

Peoneve is a rather strong fragrance - one squirt on the inner wrist and it makes it's presence subtly felt in an air-conditioned room. I like that bold quality. When I wear Peoneve, I like being a little liberal with it - I like it strong on me, enveloping me in that heady confection of sweet and spice.

Maybe it's because I've already heard Penhaligon's story of that strong, modern, elegant and yet feminine woman - but that image sure pops up in my head when I wear Peoneve. It's a statement fragrance and it says something about the wearer - "I'm confident, I know what I want, I don't need help but if you want to shower me with flowers and jewellery, go right ahead and lose yourself in my eyes". 

Well, at least that's how the story goes when Peoneve wafts around me in a cloud of pretty and edgy.

And I leave you with Penhaligon's ingenious little film - A Lady's Guide To Wearing Peoneve - I'm sure you'll love it!

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Peoneve is now available at Penhaligon's fine fragrance boutique at ION Orchard. Book yourself a fragrance profiling service to experience Peoneve and the many more fragrant creations Penhaligon's has to offer.

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Disclaimer: Product provided for consideration; I am not affiliated to Penhaligon's. All opinions expressed are unbiased and my own. 

Hola!

The House of Valentino has released a new fragrance, Valentina, developed by noted perfumers Alberto Morillas and Oliver Cresp (Cresp is also the nose behind Penhaligon's Juniper Sling).

The packaging is beautiful - a round flacon embellished with 3-D flowers in white, ivory and nude rose - emblems of Valentino's haute couture. I found that I needed to be a little more cautious when holding the flacon - I'm concious about messing the flower embellishments but they are actually very sturdily placed.

Although Tangerine has been declared as the Pantone colour of the year, I keep seeing this dusty mauve rose popping up everywhere - not that I have an issue with it, given that I find it's one of the prettiest, most elegantly feminine colours. 

It also goes well with the image of the Valentino woman - charismatic and bewitching, classic yet modern, unconventional and sophisticated.

Ultra feminine but with that carefree attitude and an attractive insolence - a woman who knows what she wants and will get it.

The fragrance itself is a floral bouquet - captivating, exuberant and irreverent according to Valentino.

I love the science behind fragrances - at the event, we were treated to understanding how the fragrance was built by sampling the top, heart and base notes. Sampling the notes one by one and then combining all the blotters together and sampling it - there's a world of difference between the individual notes and the final product. 

Valentina is a fruity-floriental - the Amber and Cedar in the base notes as well as the earthy warmth of the White Truffles make it a true Oriental fragrance. It is very warm and opulent.

Bergamot, White Truffles

Orange Blossom, Tuberose,

Jasmine, Wild Strawberries

Cedar, Amber

On me, I hardly get the fresh zing of the Calabrian Bergamot - the warm floral is what dominates on my skin. The floral heart of Amalfi Orange Blossom, Jasmine and Tuberose is sweetened by the juicy Wild Strawberries - on me, the white floral notes don't translate into the usual fresh white floral bouquet. Instead, the fragrance is sweet and warm.

In terms of sillage and lasting power, Valentina is very rich, smooth and full-bodied - the richness makes me want to describe it like how I would describe the aroma of strong Italian roast coffee ... the sweet creaminess of Pannacotta and the headiness of Marsala (an Italian liqueur) in Tiramisu.

I find that Valentina is a very strong fragrance - 2 squirts is more than enough to last on me the whole day. I think that this is one of those fragrances that can get a little overwhelming if worn in abundance given the rich, opulent accords. 

If you so wish, the fragrance can be amplified by the Bath & Body line of a Shower Gel and Body Lotion. 

Valentina Eau de Parfum is currently available at all Valentino counters (Tangs Orchard, Takashimaya and Paragon) at the following prices:

Valentina EDP 30ml - SGD$95

Valentina EDP 50ml - SGD$135

Valentina EDP 80ml - SGD$175

Valentina Shower Gel 200ml - SGD$64

Valentina Body Lotion 200ml - SGD$73

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At the event, we were treated to express manicures with rose nail art. Remember my earlier entry about how I've suddenly taken a liking to nude nail colours? Well, it actually started from Valentina - the shade the manicurist used on me was OPI Miso Happy With This Colour and I fell in love with it instantly, prompting a nation-wide, Internet-wide search for it. I proudly have it in my possession now. 

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If you love rich, opulent floriental fragrances, then you must check out Valentina! The warmth and richness with a soft sweetened edge is bound to get people asking you what you are wearing. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a fab day ahead!

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Disclaimer: Product featured was provided to me for consideration. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.

Hi!

Hugo Boss has premiered a new fragrance for men, Boss Bottled.Sport

Fronted by Formula One World Champion Jenson Button, the fragrance aims to appeal to the BOSS man - one who is competitive, driven and ambitious ... well, I'll say one who is immensely successful and enjoys his successes as Button is seen doing below. 

The campaign for Boss Bottled. Sport features Button articulating how the fragrance represents a key feature of his career as a Formula 1 competitor - it's the mental preparation that he rigorously undergoes that sets him apart from the rest of the talented Formula 1 drivers.

Let's take a closer look at the fragrance:

The box packaging features a carbon fibre design - the black and grey checks are often featured in structures used in aerospace, military, motorsports and competitive sports. Carbon Fibre is prided for high stiffness, high tensile strength, low weight, high chemical resistance, high temperature tolerance and low thermal expansion - in other words, extremely strong and tenacious which goes perfectly with the whole concept of Boss Bottled. Sport. The red stripe on the box adds that cheery sporty vibe, completing the sport analogy.

The bottle is sleek and chic with a very clean, fresh vibe from the translucent flacon and the clear fragrance.

I've since given this fragrance to my Dad who has been wearing this and another Boss fragrance, Boss Bottled. Night this last week. I'm very sensitive to my Dad's fragrances because he always sits in the front passenger seat when I drive (I pick him up from work sometimes and we often go out for dinner or outings) so I get a very strong whiff of his fragrances. Some fragrances really irritate me - he has been banned from wearing Montblanc's Individuel because it had the weirdest suffocating sillage. 

Speaking of sillage, my Dad is allergic to fragrances - he cannot let it get onto his skin, else he will break out in a rash. So he sprays it liberally on his shirt pocket instead. Hence, there isn't usually a case where the fragrance reacts to his skin to create a unique sillage - often, what it smells like from the bottle or fragrance strip is identical to what I smell on him.

Both my Mom and I really like Boss Bottled. Sport on my Dad. I love it particularly because it doesn't have that very strong citrus, ozonic accord that is usually associated with many sporty fragrances, which sometimes comes across as too youthful and very obtrusive.

Instead of a piercing sharp sporty-type fragrance, Boss Bottled.Sport is refreshing and yet debonair.

The grapefruit, yuzu zest and pink peppercorn is the first accord that you sense but soon, the calming lavender and cardamom mingle with the grapefruit, toning the clean tang from the top notes down a little.

Lavender is naturally a little masculine but in a very subtle, gentle way which I really like in this composition.

The Cardamom, unlike other spices, doesn't quite give it a spicy piquant kick but rather, lends the fragrance a comforting warmth.

Vetiver is one of my favourite base notes - unlike animalic musk, Vetiver is very aromatic - it is a little woody, sweet and subtly earthy. Together with Tonka Bean and Patchouli, the base notes round off the fragrance in a beautiful, classy way.

Altogether, this makes Boss Bottled.Sport a very clean, refreshing fragrance that is debonair at the same time - it is perfectly suited for a both a younger and more mature man and has a beautiful comforting sillage.

It spells confidence and class and I think it can be worn both for work and play, transitioning easily from day to night.

The Boss Bottled. Sport range is complemented by a bath and body line

The prices of the Boss Bottled. Sport fragrances and Bath & Body Line are as follows:

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If you're looking for a new debonair fragrance for one of the dashing men in your life, be sure to check Boss Bottled. Sport out. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a fab weekend!

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Disclaimer: Product featured was provided for consideration. I am not affiliated to either the brand or PR company. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.

Hello!

A little while ago, I made mention of Diptyque Ofresia - I had a sample vial and was road-testing to see how much I liked it. My BA at Escentials was generous with me and gave me a couple of Diptyque vials, including a couple of Ofresia and the more I wore it, the more I liked it. I eventually picked Ofresia up and I'm very glad I did.

The range of Diptyque fragrances all have a very clean, classic look about them - a square flacon with a dark antique brass cap. The black and white labels bear a sketch representing the fragrance and the iconic address of the Diptyque fragrance house - I love how brands like these give such prominence to their heritage. 

For an EDT, Ofresia has a long-lasting sillage - I can still smell it on my skin at the end of the day and there is no loathesome "alcohol" smell that is usually characteristic of many EDTs in the market. 

Ofresia is a bit of a soliflore - soliflores are fragrances that replicate one flower in particular and in the case of Ofresia, the main floral note is Freesia. Freesia fragrances are white florals - clean, light, airy and sweet. Freesia fragrances tend to have a bright, sweetness that reminds one of clean sheets drying in the wind in a flower-filled garden.

Freesia Flowers

In Diptyque's Ofresia, the bright sweet white floral is enhanced by a base of creamy woods which makes the fragrance richer and a little more decadent. It gives Ofresia a more robust character than just a bright Springtime floral.

But just a Freesia heart and a base of Creamy Woods makes for a nice, Springtime fragrance ... pretty, feminine and sweet. But Diptyque's Ofresia is SEXY SEXY SEXY ... 

And what makes it sexy? See the fragrance note collage above - the top note of Ofresia is Black Pepper. It might be the top note but it doesn't disappear at all. Instead, the spicy fragrant kick of the Black Pepper mingles with the sweetness and creaminess of the Freesia and Woods for a piquant bite.

And therein lies the kicker - the spicy kick of the Black Pepper actually gives the usually feminine Freesia fragrance a slight masculine edge. It's not as masculine or androgynous as some other unisex fragrances but it definitely makes you think, "hey, does that smell a little masculine? ... No wait, its a sweet white floral ... wait, what IS that?" ... 

This little twist that piques the interest is what makes it so sexy - I don't want to get all drooly but the resultant fragrance is  .. you know, if a very clean, sexy man wearing a nice masculine fragrance and aftershave came and embraced you ... and his fragrance mingled a little with your feminine fragrance? Like a chap looking like this .... 

The very droolsome John Abraham

Bam, that sexy beast is what Diptyque Ofresia is.

I'm not one who likes wearing masculine or androgynous fragrances but I make an exception for Diptyque's Ofresia - that ever-so-slight masculine twist really gives the bright sweet Freesia soliflore an unexpected zing ... O' You Sexy Sexy Thing ...

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Diptyque Fragrances are available at Escentials Boutiques in Tangs Orchard, Marina Bay Sands and Paragon.

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Disclaimer: Product featured purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.

Hello!

In May, in conjunction with it's anniversary, Jo Malone premiered a new fragrance, Plum Blossom.

I was hoping that Plum Blossom won't be one of those immensely fruity concoctions that several fragrance houses are so busy rolling out these days. And I was so thankful that Jo Malone has created an light but radiant white floral composition that immediately appealed to me.

Plum Blossom flower

The bottle is a slight departure from the regular line-up. Instead of an opaque label, there is a semi-translucent white lable laced with etchings of the Plum Blossom flower on the bottle, keeping with the theme of delicateness

Which is really pretty hard to photograph clearly so here is a better shot ...

Also, around it's neck, is a pretty mauve-pink cord - the US Jo Malone website indicates that the cord is not part of the retail units but my bottle purchased at our local Jo Malone store came with the cord - not a major issue but it's aesthetically pleasing.

The top notes of Plum Blossom is yellow plum - I've had purple plums but doubt I've ever eaten a yellow one so I can't quite comment on how that is scented. There is no bite or tart tones from the yellow plum - in fact, the plum is not distinct to my nose. What is prominent in this fragrance is the white floral heart and the creamy sandalwood base.

Together the white florals and the creamy sandalwood create a soft, slightly warm floral fragrance that is light and unobstrusive. I associate pureness and innocence with Plum Blossom - I picture the first rays of the morning sun slowly centering light on a field of flowers glistening with dew. Something like this ....

Plum Blossom has been critiqued elsewhere for being a perfume for "non-perfume wearers" - several have pointed out that the sillage and longevity are less than stellar and that it's too much of a barely-there wisp of fragrance to be actually worn alone. I am used to and do revel in strong fragrances like Serge Lutens' Fleurs de Oranger so this would be of particular concern to me.

I have worn Plum Blossom on its own several times and it lasts a couple of hours on me - after perhaps the 4th hour, the scent fades a little and recedes to the background. However, I really like the soft sweet floral on my skin and so I got myself a Travalo refillable spray so I can tote a Plum Blossom decant with me. And what luck - there happens to be a Travalo atomiser that is practically the same shade of glistening mauve-pink as the cord on the Plum Blossom bottle!

As for layering fragrances which is a Jo Malone signature, Jo Malone recommends that Plum Blossom pairs well with English Pear & Freesia, Nectarine Blossom & Honey, Orange Blossom and French Lime Blossom. I have none of these - with the exception of Nectarine Blossom and Honey, the other 3 tend to take on a more sharp, tart note on me. 

Although not part of their recommendation, I instead adore the combination of Plum Blossom with White Lilac & Rhubarb

I don't know which fragrance enhances which but the resultant combination is a bright, sweet floral - a polished, genteel lady's fragrance, comforting, innocently sexy and alluring all at the same time. And the resultant longer-lasting sillage is a bonus.  An absolute new favourite combination. 

I've heard that Jo Malone has another new fragrance in the works for a fall release - Blackberry & Bay. I'm secretly hoping that Blackberry & Bay will take the non-fruity road like Plum Blossom has, and turn out to be a decadent spiced floral instead. 

In the meantime, I shall revel in the soft radiance of Plum Blossom and her new best friend, White Lilac & Rhubarb.

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Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

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Disclaimer: All products featured, Jo Malone & Travalo, were purchased with my own money. I am not affiliated to Jo Malone. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.

Hello!

For Spring this year, Gucci has released a multi-faceted fragrance collection, The Flora Garden, to celebrate all the postive aspects of women - gorgeousness, grace, glamour, generosity and glory. The Flora Garden aims to allow women to express their different moods and emotions.

I like how each fragrance has a name specific to a characteristic - Gorgeous, Glamorous, Generous ... it's positive. optimistic and uplifting.

Gucci has interpreted the different names and created 5 distinct fragrances - each fragrance in the collection centres on one distinct flower and one particular colour. The 5 blooms were chosen from one of Gucci's most iconic scarf which was created specifically for Princess Grace of Monaco in 1966. The scarf (pictured below), was specially commissioned by the House of Gucci and the multi-hued floral print simply called FLORA was created.

FLORA, the print, served as an inspiration for the fashion house in 2005 and 2006 when the print appeared on fashion and accessories collections. Since then, it has served as inspiration for Flora by Gucci fragrances and now, the Flora Garden Collection.

I like the fact that this one single collection is so varied and it's rather easy to find at least one scent to be attracted to. I also love the colours used - it's like Aromatherapy meets Chromatherapy.

Let's take a closer look at 3 of the fragrances; I took the shots at the rooftop garden at my place among little flowering blooms for a real garden experience :)

Glamorous Magnolia

I love the flowers in this shot! I practically squealed when I found them!

Glamorous Magnolia is an intense warm floral - it opens a little bright with the Freesia and Citrus Zest which gives way to the floral heart of Peony and Magnolia. I find Glamorous Magnolia to be a little on the sweet side - immediately after I spritz it on, I feel like I'm catching whiffs of jelly beans. Apart from this slight sweetness, there isn't any overt chocolate scent although Warm Chocolate is listed as a base note. I like Glamorous Magnolia for its mellow and sensous body - it's rich and velvety. I like this both during the day and night but I think it will make a great night fragrance in particular.

Clockwise: Freesia, Green Leaves, Citrus Zest, Peony, Magnolia, Warm Chocolate, Sandalwood, Musk

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Gracious Tuberose

Gracious Tuberouse is fresh and bright - it starts off a little green from the Violet Leaves and I thought I might not like it much but the green dissipates and what you get it a fresh white floral fragrance. I don't quite get the Peach or any other fruity accord. I love this fragrance because the floral heart is very reminiscent of a light jasmine - the Tuberose and Orange Flower have been interpreted in a fresh and light way so it isn't heady or cloying - perfect if you love jasmine-esque scents but can't take the headiness. Even the base notes of Cistus (Rock Rose) and White Cedarwood don't weigh the fragrance down - on my skin, the sillage remains beautifully delicate and elegant as the hours go by.

Clockwise: Violet Leaves, Peach, Tuberose, Orange Blossom, Rose, Cistus (not pictured: White Cedarwood)

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Gorgeous Gardenia

Of the 3, Gorgeous Gardenia is the sweetest of the lot. It is totally different from the kinds of Gardenia fragrances I've come across like Jo Malone's Vintage Gardenia or Marc Jacobs Splash in Gardenia.

I find the Red Berry notes dominate the entire fragrance despite being the top note. I would describe it as berry-tinged powdery fragrance - I think the powdery accords comes from the creamy Frangipani and the Patchouli.

I find this a very heavy fragrance - perhaps because it's not quite the type that I'm typically attracted to. It wears rich and lush on me - almost cloying. I passed this to my Mom and she quite likes it. It's a little reminiscent of the lush floral orientals she is attracted to.

Clockwise: Red Berries, Pear, Gardenia, Frangipani, Brown Sugar, Patchouli

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Of the 3 I tried, I really like Glamorous Magnolia and Gracious Tuberose and I'll let you in on a little something - they are also really nice together! I accidentally left the fragrance strips with Glamorous Magnolia and Gracious Tuberose together and the fragrance mingled to give off a sweet, floral fragrance - a little rosy, a little sweet, a little jasminey and very pretty. I know these are not meant to be combined like Jo Malone's colognes but I tried combining them on myself anyway and miraculously, it worked!

Another thing I'd like to point out - although these are all Eau de Toilettes, they are rather intense. Unlike some EDTs where you can smell the acrid alcohol first before you get the scent, these scents are intense and last pretty long - for at least a good 6 hours.

There are another 2 fragrances - Glorious Mandarin and Generous Violet. These 2 fragrances are only available at the Gucci boutiques while the other 3, Glamorous Magnolia, Gracious Tuberose and Gorgeous Gardenia are available islandwide at all Gucci fragrance counters.

From memory, Glorious Mandarin is a bright, sunny jasmine-tinted floral citrus fragrance. I was surprised that I liked it at first whiff given I rarely fall for citrus fragrances. Generous Violet was a drier woodier scent.

The fragrances retail in 3 sizes:

30ml - SGD$93

50ml - SGD$113

100ml - SGD$168

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Overall, the Flora Garden Collection is a beguiling collection of 5 distinct fragrances - I think the fragrance families are distinct enough that there is bound to be something for someone to try and be attracted to.

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Thanks for stopping by and have a great day ahead!

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Disclaimer: Products featured were provided for consideration; all opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.

Hello!

I couldn't agree more with Philosophy's take on fragrances - if you smell good, you feel good. For me, fragrance is really the finishing touch - I wear fragrance everywhere - even if I'm just going for a joy-ride or going to buy chicken rice downstairs. It just makes me feel put-together.

Depending on my mood, sometimes I crave a strong, heady fragrance like Serge Lutens Fleurs de Oranger or Penhaligon's Cornubia. Other times, I just want a soft fragrance that just softly lingers in the background. Recently, I've been reaching  for Philosophy's Amazing Grace.

Amazing Grace is one of the 4 fragrances in Philosophy's permanent fragrance range available in our local Sephoras - the other 3 are Pure Grace, Eternal Grace and Inner Grace.

Of the 4, Amazing Grace is described as "the ultimate feminine fragrance that makes a woman feel as if she is wearing her best dress everyday of the week"

It IS very feminine - there is no doubt about that. But it's not one of those sexy, heady, "raw woman" kind of feminine fragrance. Instead, Amazing Grace is a soft floral that whittles down into a powdery fragrance as the hours go by.

The top notes are citrus - Mandarin Orange, Grapefruit and Bergamot - but instead of imparting a sharp, refreshing, clean edge to the fragrance, on my skin, these soon give way to the floral heart of Freesia, Jasmine and Rose. In fact, I think the only citrus note that stands out a little distinct to me was the Mandarin Orange note. Although Musk is listed as it's base, the fragrance quickly takes on a floral powdery note that is very comforting - almost like sniffing a clean, freshly-bathed and powdered baby.

The sillage isn't very strong - that is perhaps because what I'm using is the Spray Fragrance which is an Eau de Toilette. There is a stronger version, the Eau de Parfum (the EDP is listed on the Philosophy website but I don't recall seeing it in our shelves here). Since this doesn't last so long on me, I use it a little more liberally than some of my other fragrances - I also spritz some just below my ears so that my hair catches it.

I'm very tempted to pick up the 3-in-1 Shower Gel and Shampoo in the Amazing Grace scentso that I can use it as a shampoo and layer the fragrance. The fragrance of the other Philosophy shower gels I have (the Cake Batter series and Wildflower Blossom) don't quite linger on the skin post-shower but I think fragrance has a better chance of lingering if you use it as a shampoo. I've not tried using these shower gels as a shampoo yet - I'll try with the Wildflower Blossom one first and see how it reacts to my hair before taking the plunge with Amazing Grace Shower Gel.

One of the things that stands out about Amazing Grace - and a lot of Philosophy products actually - is the thought and quote that goes on the packaging. The entire product line is designed not only to target personal grooming but personal well-being too. I love their approach:

"philosophy: Science gives us better skin,

inspiration gives us better days"

The quote on Amazing Grace is just as beautiful:

It's a little like how I always try to see things - whatever happens, it's all for good.

A lot of reviews describe Amazing Grace as "clean and soapy" but I don't quite get that soapy note on me.

I'll be honest - the first time I sprized on Amazing Grace, I found it a little odd. I didn't quite know what to make of it or describe it - the only word that came to my mind was 'soft floral'. But now, after wearing it for a while, on long days, in the evenings and once or twice to bed, I've really grown to like it for that powdery accord - it works well on my skin and if anything at all, I'd just love to have it last longer. It's simple, straightforward and doesn't catch you by surprise - it's just there, like a re-assuring hug.

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Thanks for stopping by and have a good week ahead

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Disclaimer: Product featured was given to me without obligation to review. All opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.

Hello!

A little while ago, I picked up the Elisabethan Rose Shower Gel (SGD$66) from the Penhaligon's Boutique in ION.

It's a large bottle of shower gel at 300ml (most regular ones hover around 100 to 200 ml?) and comes in a functional clear bottle with a flip-top cap for ease of use in the shower.

But you know, even if this came in the most unconventional annoying bottle, I would still purchase this, extravagant or not.

The scent is amazing - it is by far one of the most lush rose fragrances I've come across, with Jo Malone's Red Roses trailing in not far behind.

According to Penhaligon's, the scent description of the Elisabethan Rose Eau de Toilette is as follows:

Head Notes: Aldehydes and Geranium

Heart Notes: Camomile, Violet and Rose

Base Notes: Musk, Amber and Sandalwood

The scent of Elisabethan Rose bath and shower gel does not detract much from the scent of the EDT - they both share the same powdery, lush Damascus Rose scent and what keeps it from being fruity, sweet or green (which can be so annoying to me!) is the incense-like Sandalwood note in the base. There is a soft, mellow accord that wafts from Elisabethan Rose which is a little unlike the crisp and freshness of Jo Malone's Red Roses.

I make this comparison only because I had my heart set on picking up JM's Red Roses which I talked about HERE but now I'm toying with the idea of Penhaligon's Elisabethan Rose EDT. And the Elisabethan Rose Bath & Shower Gel is squarely to blame for this.

I know that a bath & shower gel really can't be compared to the strength and sillage of a fragrance but let me tell you that the fragrance from the Elisabethan Rose Bath & Shower Gel really lingers on the skin ... for a long time, quite unlike so many other scented shower products I've tried. It's almost like wearing a very very mild version of the fragrance itself which makes me convinced that my SGD$66 didn't quite go down the (shower) drain.

Also, I'l  confess - the name itself, Elisabethan Rose, is enough to hold my attention - it's somewhat connotes a sense of luxury and regalness.

Interestingly, Penhaligon's is currently featuring The Art of Floriography in the Penhaligon's Boutique and on their Facebook page - Floriography or otherwise understood as the Language of Flowers, was a method used in the Victorian era to convey feelings that could otherwise not be outwardly spoken.

Here is what Penhaligon's has to say about the Elisabethan Rose, which has me in a tizzy currently:

Ahhhh ... no wonder it makes me smile!

Here are the other fragrances in the Floriography series:

How sweet!

Note: All images related to Penhaligon's Floriography are courtesy of Penhaligon's FB

As for my Elizabethan Rose which stands for Perfect Happiness ... this one is definitely a KEEPER :)

Rose, Rose, I Love You

You can check out the Penhaligon's FB for more details on the Floriography feature or better yet, just pop into the store and have yourself a fragrant day :)

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Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend

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Disclaimer: Product featured purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone. I am not affiliated to Penhaligon's.

Hello!

Salvatore Ferragamo latest fragrance couldn't be more aptly named - SIGNORINA, which literally translates to "young woman" in Italian, the fragrance is a tribute to the timeless modernity, creativity and boldness of the modern young women as interpreted by the Italian fragrance and fashion house.

The colour palette chosen for Signorina is a beautiful soft, dusty antique rose and it's several variations, which lends an air of grace and sophistication to the wearer - which is very much in line of what Ferragamo wants the fragrance to be.

I love the flacon - I love rose gold and pink and Signorina incorporates both colours beautifully.

The iconic Vara bow is layered in 2 soft pink shades - a baby pink and a deeper mauve-rose.

The fragrance, while being a homage to the zesty, vibrant young woman, is not one of those annoyingly tween fruity concoctions, at least from what I gather of it. I feel that there is this deep boldness about it that sits well with a woman of any age.

Top: Currants, Pink Pepper

Heart: Jasmine, Rose and Peony

Base: Patchouli, Pannacotta, Musk

The first whiff gives you a taste of juicy berries or Currants but I unfortunately don't quite detect any floral-spice of the Pink Pepper - it could be that the Pink Pepper undercuts the cloying sweetness of the fruity notes. The top fruit notes don't seem to linger for long - the headier florals of Rose, Jasmine and Peony, the heart notes, make their bold presence known. I like the dry down - if I was to associate a colour with the dry down, I would pick Beige or Deep Cream (more on this colour association soon!). Among the more traditional dry down notes of Patchouli and Musk is a gourmand note of Pannacotta - a creamy pudding which is a typical Italian dessert. The drydown is rich, creamy and a little sweet but not cloying.

Signorina is one of those fragrances that seems to get stronger and stronger with time - 2 to 3 squirts will last you practically the whole day. I'm not terribly sure about the technology used in this fragrance but I notice if you spray it on a blotter and leave it in the room, the fragrance tends to rise and waft about you. My mom wore the fragrance and sat at the back passenger seat in the car and the fragrance was wafting all about me - a little distracting I would say. If you can't quite deal with strong fragrances, this floriental might not be for you.

I've since passed this to my Mom - I told you it's not one of those youngish fragrances :P It's more along the lines of the fragrances she wears - the warmer, deeper Florientals (she loves Lancome Miracle, Chanel Allure, Cacherel's Lou Lou - and they all seem to fall into the same warm floriental family). Florientals are a category of fragrances which typically start of lush and strong florals with a hint of spice and then take on stronger Oriental notes which feature sweet creamy balms and warm resins and spices. In this sense, Signorina is a true Floriental fragrance.

Signorina is currently available in several sizes as well as a Bath & Body line. Here are the details:

30ml Eau de Parfum SGD$95

50ml Eau de Parfum SGD$138

100ml Eau de Parfum SGD$185

200ml Body Lotion SGD$76

200ml Bath & Shower Gel SGD$67

Are you a Signorina?

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Thanks for stopping by and have a good week ahead

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Disclaimer: Fragrance was provided to me; I am not affiliated to the brand in question. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.